Marin County Criminal Lawyer

The laboratory, not the courtroom, is where the groundwork for a successful defense often happens. Mr. Coffino works with the most eminent experts in toxicology, forensics, engineering, medicine and computer science to undermine the state’s evidence and develop facts that support your defense.

Through witness interviews and contacts in the community, his team of street-level investigators have cracked cases wide open by developing new facts that cripple the government’s theory.

In every case Mr. Coffino draws inspiration from a bedrock principle of our nation’s laws – that vigorous defense of the accused is a vital check on abuse of power by the government. Don’t get railroaded – call the Law Office of Michael Coffino now and let us fight for you.

If you have been criminally charged or investigated anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Marin County, Contra Costa County, the East Bay, Sonoma County, Napa County or San Francisco - call the Law Office of Michael A. Coffino now. He will speak with you during an initial consultation at no charge.

We defend clients against criminal prosecutions of all kinds, including in the following areas:

You have no time to lose if you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend your license 10 days after arrest. We can immediately halt the automatic suspension of your privilege so you can keep driving while your case works its way through the courts.

In DUI cases we investigate every available science-, fact- and law-based defense to protect your rights. This includes scrutinizing the maintenance, calibration and usage logs of any machines used to test your BAC – and moving to exclude the evidence when appropriate.

There are many possible defenses. Was the traffic stop lawful? Did the police detain you too long? Did the officer give correct advisements and follow protocols? Was your blood taken in a medically sound manner?

Michael Coffino has successfully challenged the legality of police conduct in DUI cases. If you have been arrested for DUI you need an experienced DUI lawyer to carefully examine every aspect of the case - from the initial police contact and filing of criminal charges to any evidence the prosecution seeks to introduce in court.

If your case is in the pre-filing stage, this is a critical time. Mr. Coffino can contact the district attorney with information that may result in no charges being filed, or in reduced charges. Call our office today at (415) 786-9703 for a free, no-obligation consultation, or email mike@coffinolaw.com.

The penalties for domestic violence include possible jail or prison time. If you have been investigated, arrested or charged with a domestic violence crime you need an experienced and aggressive domestic violence lawyer now to investigate all possible defenses.

The typical domestic violence case starts with a 911 call and police officers knocking on the door of a private home. Anyone present will be questioned as the police try to find out what happened. Their real goal, though, will be to make an arrest regardless of the truth - an unfortunate consequence of “mandatory arrest” policies at many police agencies.

As the investigation proceeds, the slightest injuries will be scrupulously documented. Whoever the officers decide is the “dominant aggressor” will be handcuffed, put in a patrol vehicle and booked.

Afterwards, a police report will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for evaluation. Hiring a lawyer before any charging decision is made can help prevent a filing in the first place, or result in lesser charges.

Michael Coffino routinely represents clients in domestic violence cases at the pre-filing stage by contacting the district attorney with information that casts doubt on the veracity of the accuser, or to provide evidence showing there was no crime.

False accusations of domestic violence are common. The accuser may be seeking advantage in a child custody case, or a special visa reserved for crime victims. The police often disregard self-defense evidence, mutual combat scenarios, or physical fights initiated by the “victim.” In addition, police protocols in domestic violence cases are ripe for abuse and often result in unjustified arrests and prosecutions.

Michael Coffino has extensive experience defending domestic violence cases. His investigators look for ways to discredit the accuser’s story and support your version of events. He can help you identify facts that support your defense and devise an effective strategy.

Call our office now at (415) 786-9703 for a free, no-obligation consultation or email mike@coffinolaw.com.

Over the past 20 years California has developed treatment-based alternatives for many drug crimes. But penalties for repeat offenders - or those who sell or traffic large quantities of controlled substances - can be substantial, including prison time.

Criminal defense attorney Michael Coffino has experience defending drug crimes of all kinds - from minor misdemeanor possession cases to federal investigations of cartels accused of moving hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine.

There are many potential defenses to drug crimes. Did the police entrap you into selling drugs? Did they arrest the wrong person? Can they prove you knew drugs were present on your person, or in your home or vehicle? Did they use informants who lied or received special favors? Proof that a person intended to sell drugs - rather than simply use or share them with friends - generally requires detailed evidence of plans, a history of sales and contacts with suppliers and end users.

For drug addicts or people without extensive prior convictions, California law favors treatment over punishment and medical science increasingly views drug addiction as a treatable illness, rather than a crime. Treatment or diversion out of the criminal system can mean no conviction on your record and no jail time. The Law Office of Michael Coffino is committed to finding jail alternatives for clients who are motivated to receive drug treatment and rehabilitation.

If your case is in the pre-filing stage, this is a critical moment. Mr. Coffino can contact the right people in the DA’s office with information that may result in no charges being filed, or in reduced charges. Call our office today at (415) 786-9703 for a free, no-obligation consultation or email mike@coffinolaw.com.

If you have been investigated or arrested for a sex crime you need experienced legal representation immediately. The Law Office of Michael Coffino has extensive experience in sex crimes cases of all kinds and has successfully defended clients charged in the most serious cases.

A thorough factual investigation of the accuser and any physical, medical or electronic evidence is of paramount importance. We work with the leading medical and computer experts in the field to counter the government’s evidence and develop fact-based defenses that cast doubt on the accusations.

It is easy for an innocent person to be falsely accused of a sex crime. The act may be a misunderstanding, you may have been entrapped by a government sting operation, or the accuser may be lying to seek revenge or some other advantage. A knowledgeable Bay Area sex crimes lawyer can help you analyze the law and gather the evidence you need to defend against false accusations.

California law criminalizes a range of sex acts, from sexual battery to forcible rape, child sexual abuse, prostitution, possession and manufacturing of illegal pornography, and more.

The advent of the Internet and social media has revolutionized the investigation of sex crimes. The police increasingly use evidence from messaging applications, computers and other electronic devices, including location tracking technology.

One of the most severe consequences of a sex crime conviction is mandatory sex offender registration. In some cases, the law may require publication of the offender’s residence address and other personal information on the Internet.

If your case is in the pre-filing stage, this is a critical time. Mr. Coffino can contact the district attorney with information that may result in no charges being filed, or in reduced charges. Call our office today at (415) 786-9703 for a free, no-obligation consultation or email mike@coffinolaw.com.

The Law Office of Michael Coffino is committed to providing residents of Marin County, the East Bay and the San Francisco Bay Area with an aggressive defense in all property crime prosecutions. Examples of such crimes include automobile theft, petty theft, shoplifting, burglary, forgery, credit card fraud or embezzlement charges.

Mr. Coffino has handled hundreds of property crimes cases through all stages of the criminal process, including complex financial crimes. He has extensive courtroom and trial experience.

There are many defenses to property crimes. In a shoplifting case it is easy to make a mistake or have your actions misinterpreted by store employees or security guards.

In a theft case the state must prove you intended to "permanently deprive" the victim of his property. In a burglary case there must be proof of intent to steal at the time you entered a car, home or business. Without such proof there is no burglary.

Criminal defense attorney Michael Coffino will listen carefully to your story and help you develop a legal strategy that fits your facts.

Bay Area criminal defense attorney Michael Coffino regularly defends people accused of violent crimes. If you have been charged with a crime of violence you need a criminal defense attorney with a proven record of defending these cases. Violent crimes can range from criminal threats to robbery and murder.

California Law defines all “violent felonies” as “strikes” under the Three Strikes Law and a conviction carries significant consequences.

There are many defenses to crimes of violence, including self-defense. The police may be under pressure to solve a sensational crime and fail to conduct a careful investigation. Prosecutors’ offices file charges that are excessive under the circumstances, or mistakenly charge an innocent person because they don’t know the whole story.

Traumatized witnesses may be mistaken about the identity of the perpetrator. Often the investigating agency has no time to question all witnesses with relevant information. A thorough and careful defense investigation may turn up exculpatory evidence that proves innocence, or casts doubt on the version of events promoted by accusers, the police and the prosecution.

Michael Coffino regularly challenges the admissibility of evidence in violent crimes cases based on violations of his clients’ rights under the 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. His office has the knowledge and experience to make sure that unreliable or illegally obtained evidence is not considered by the court or jury.

Assault with a deadly weapon, battery, robbery, battery on a peace officer, and battery causing serious bodily injury are commonly charged crimes of violence. Self-defense is a complete defense to any assaultive crime. Michael Coffino has successfully defended clients in murder, weapon assault and battery cases based on a self-defense theory.

If the victim has a history of violence or threats of violence to you or others, you have the right to act more quickly in anticipation of coming violence. We thoroughly investigate the history of the alleged victim in these cases to uncover past acts that may be relevant to your defense.

If your case is in the pre-filing stage, this is a critical time. Mr. Coffino can contact the district attorney with information that may result in no charges being filed, or in reduced charges. Call our office today at (415) 786-9703 for a free, no-obligation consultation or email mike@coffinolaw.com.

Michael Coffino actively represents people both seeking and defending against restraining orders in civil and family court. If you have received papers serving you with a temporary restraining order (TRO) the Law Office of Michael Coffino can help. Likewise, if you are interested in obtaining a restraining order against someone who is harassing you, call Michael Coffino now for a free, no-obligation consultation.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Marin County, Contra Costa County or anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, you should immediately seek the services of a criminal defense attorney. Mr. Coffino has extensive knowledge of the law and the legal system and enjoys an outstanding reputation among judges, defense attorneys and prosecutors.

For more information about how to handle your case, and to schedule a free consultation, contact the Law Office of Michael A. Coffino now at (415) 786-9703.